Adam Fila, Matthew Phelan and Brock Hogan walk from the entrance to Lynn Woods Reservation to the Lynn Woods Elementary School on Wednesday. Item photo by Owen O’Rourke.
By Leah Dearborn
LYNN — Students looked both ways on Lynn streets for the 20th International Walk to School Day on Wednesday.
Lynn Woods Elementary students in grades K through 5 gathered at the entrance to Lynn Woods Reservation on Great Woods Road for the event, which began through the Partnership for a Walkable America as a campaign to raise awareness for more walkable communities.
“I think it’s awesome that they do this,” said parent Kelly Landano, who sees walking to school together as a good way for students to socialize and make friends.
Principal Ellen Fritz said that in addition to fostering a sense of community, walking to school encourages healthy habits and reduces traffic congestion around the school, which is located on a dead-end street.
For several walkers, the morning stroll to Trevett Avenue marked their first time taking a method of transport other than a vehicle.
Ramon Abreu and daughter Mia, 7, like to exercise but usually drive to school. Ramon Abreu said he wouldn’t mind walking more often in the nice weather, but that winter presents a barrier to getting out on foot safely.
“Every community faces its challenges, whether urban or rural. It’s just finding what works for that specific school,” said Keith Doty, marketing coordinator with the Safe Routes to School, an agency for walking and biking activities.
Students were instructed to always stop at the end of a street and to only walk on the sidewalk.
Fifth-graders were put in charge of keeping the group organized. As an incentive, the class with the most participating walkers was awarded extra gym time.
Sewell-Anderson Elementary and Sisson Elementary held their own Walk to School Day events, with the latter attended by Superintendent Dr. Catherine Latham. Shannon Murphy represented the mayor’s office on the Lynn Woods walk.
Kathe Landergan, a coordinator with Safe Routes, said that although Walk to School Day is an annual event, some schools hold organized weekly walks as well.
Lynn Woods students walk every Tuesday and Thursday, and Sewell-Anderson students walk on Wednesdays.